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Dreamy Psychedelic Joy

Sun Scream arrive in our live room. Bassist Tom treats us to the opening bars of Pink Floyd’s Money before the rest of the band jam along. I knew it already, but I sure as hell know now that we’re going to have a good night. “We came together on a mutual loving of biscuits, Pink Floyd and just taking it easy,” Tom tells me. Three outstanding reasons to form a band right there.

Sun Scream formed last year in Bury St Edmunds but only guitarist James and keyboard player Alex currently reside in Suffolk. Geographical issues, however, have not prevented the band from enjoying success in their infancy. Sun Scream have headlined venues in London in addition to more familiar dwellings back home.

“We’re all over the country but we manage to do our fair share of gigs,” says James. “For our first gig. We got asked to play on a fantastic line-up that included Horse Party and SuperGlu. We didn’t have any songs but we wrote a setlist, did the gig, and it seemed to go down a storm.”

Since then, Sun Scream have recorded debut singles at The Crypt Studios. The most recent release was ‘She.’ It is 3 minutes of dreamy psychedelic joy, during which I become Mitch or Pink (or a combination of both). They are characters from one of my favourite films ever, Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused. The guitars in the track also have shades of Egyptian Blue. I’d love to see both of these bands on the same bill at some point.

While I (and perhaps you too) am waiting for that, there is the forthcoming Bury Fringe Festival All-Dayer at the Hunter Club to look forward to (if you’re reading this before 6 May). Sun Scream are playing alongside SuperGlu again, but also Suburban Minds, Janet Street Slaughter, Deep City, War Waves, Fortunato, Jack Rundell, Me and the Moon and many many other acts that ought to be world famous.

“The whole scene in Suffolk is just awesome,” drummer Catt quite rightly points out. “It kind of just happened that kids just started playing music, but the Washing Machine gigs have really helped. Kids come from all parts of Suffolk and other places just to play them gigs.”

Emily, who also plays guitar in Sun Scream was responsible for getting the band a recent gig in Brighton, but she can’t wait to be back where it all started for the band. “I think the music course at West Suffolk College plays a big part. You get loads of bands coming from that course and they’re all getting involved in the scene. More younger people are seeing other younger people playing music, and it makes them want to do as well.

Two people who have been making music since they were very very young are Matt Canham and Abi Dersiley. Plaitum first uploaded tracks to us in 2011, and now in 2017 they have just released their first full length album. Constraint, available on Wolf Tone records and on all formats, is nothing short of spectacular, as was the duo’s recent live set with us. Within 18 minutes, Abi and Matt had reeled off 4 outstanding versions of tracks in seemingly effortless fashion. Afterwards we talk about how relationships, horror films and colours have all impacted on their music. While Constraint can be vicious, barbed and claustrophobic (all in good way), Plaitum live on the night is largely delicate and soothing.

“The tracks are so loud and distorted on the record and it’s sometimes hard to show our softer side,” says Abi. “All our songs tend to start out on guitar or keyboard and then we build them up, so we were essentially stripping the tracks back to what they were originally,” adds Matt.

While Plaitum tour to promote what will hopefully be the first of many very fine records, it appears that another one of my favourite acts to grace the live room are done for the time being. Horse Party played their final show for now at the end of last month. Ellie, Shannon, Seymour and Catherine can be rightly proud of their 5 years or so together which saw them play to many. Highlights must include one of their earliest gigs with us at the John Peel Centre in 2013, and their appearance at the Latitude Festival one year later. Thank you for the music guys. While this wonderful music scene of ours will remain as such, it will no doubt be poorer without you.

Graeme was brought up in Liverpool on a diet of John and Paul, Merseybeat and the Bunnymen - but he now resides in Suffolk and is never ceased to be impressed by the latest additions to the local music scene.

"What I love about my job on BBC Suffolk Introducing is the fact that I get to listen to the county's best new music, created by some of the most innovative artists around, and then build a radio programme about them.